Promoting low-carbon transitions from a two-world regime: Hydro and wind in Québec, Canada

Technical synergies exist between wind energy and hydroelectricity because conventional hydro plants can effectively store wind in their reservoirs. However, the presence of low-cost, lowcarbon hydro resources could also inhibit wind energy development. This paper examines the tension between wind-hydro complementarity and competition through a case study of Québec, Canada. The case highlights that debate over the societal conception of the hydroelectric system, or “regime”, and its potential to enable wind, creates different innovation pathways. The paper calls attention to the value of shielding and nurturing renewable energy niches to create transformative pressures that activate the complementary potential of existing technologies. To maintain momentum a wind-hydro development block will need to expand towards incorporating new technologies and geographies.